Scott No: -
Serial number: 2012-28
Values in set: 4
Date of issue: October 20, 2012
Denomination: 480 fen
Designer: Gu Yubao
Size of stamps: 30 * 50 mm
Perforation: 13.5
Sheet composition: 16 (Value 1, 2 for Sheet I, Value 3, 4 for Sheet II)
Size of sheet: 150 * 240 mm
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

On October 20, 2012, the special stamp set "Chinese Ceramics – Dehua Kiln Porcelain" (catalog number 2012-28) was officially issued. This is the first special stamp set dedicated to showcasing the white porcelain art of Fujian's Dehua Kiln, highlighting the world-renowned "Blanc de Chine" porcelain achievements, and celebrating the ceramic culture of China's southeastern coast and the maritime Silk Road trade civilization. The set consists of four stamps, each with a face value of 1.20 yuan, for a total face value of 4.80 yuan. The stamps were designed by Gu Yubao, with artifact materials provided by the Palace Museum, and printed by Beijing Stamp Printing Works using the photogravure process.

The stamp set features four Ming Dynasty national treasures from the Palace Museum collection, divided into two categories: antique ritual vessels and religious porcelain sculptures. The first two stamps showcase Dehua Kiln's replication of bronze ritual vessels, while the latter two present masterpieces of Ming Dynasty porcelain sculpture. Together, they fully present the dual achievements of Dehua white porcelain in both functional display and sculptural art, highlighting the unique warm, ivory-toned glaze quality of Dehua ware and underscoring its important role in the history of Sino-foreign cultural exchange as a famous export porcelain.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background:

White-Glazed Tripod Censer with Kui-Dragon Pattern and Double Ears

Image: A Ming Dynasty Dehua Kiln white-glazed tripod censer with two upright ears on the rim and incised Kui-dragon patterns on the body.
History: This piece is an example of Ming Dynasty antique-style porcelain, modeled after the form of Shang and Zhou bronze tripods. Dehua craftsmen used fine white porcelain to recreate ancient ritual vessel shapes, with a dense body and lustrous glaze.
Significance: Represents the craftsmanship level of Dehua Kiln antique-style display porcelain and reflects the Ming Dynasty literati's appreciation for classical elegance.

White-Glazed Zun with Elephant-Head Ears and String Patterns

Image: A white porcelain long-necked zun vessel with elephant-head shaped ears and multiple layers of string patterns on the body.
History: The form is derived from ancient bronze arrow vases and zun vessels, a classic display porcelain of Ming Dynasty halls. The simple lines highlight the natural beauty of the white porcelain material.
Significance: A representative piece of Dehua Kiln display porcelain, simple yet grand, fully showcasing the pure, warm natural texture of "Blanc de Chine."

White-Glazed Seated Guanyin Bodhisattva

Image: Guanyin seated in lotus position, with flowing, gentle robe lines and a serene, dignified expression.
History: This is a classic work in the style of He Chaozong, a master of Ming Dynasty porcelain sculpture. He Chaozong elevated Dehua porcelain sculpture to its peak, excelling in portraying the spirit of figures with flowing, elegant robe lines.
Significance: A masterpiece of Dehua Kiln Guanyin sculptures, widely treasured both in China and overseas.

White-Glazed Standing Bodhidharma

Image: Bodhidharma standing on a wave-shaped base, wearing a monastic robe, with a solemn expression and robes flowing in the wind. The back bears the inscription "Made by He Chaozong."
History: A top-tier representative work by He Chaozong. This image was planned for a stamp issue as early as the early days of the People's Republic of China, but it took over sixty years to finally be realized.
Significance: An iconic artifact of Dehua porcelain sculpture and a universally recognized treasure of Eastern sculptural art.

Artistic and Design Features:

Visual Presentation: The stamps adopt a realistic photographic style with a light gray background, maximizing the reproduction of the warm, ivory and cream-white texture of Dehua white porcelain.
Layout: The vertical stamp format is consistent, with text arranged vertically on the right side of each stamp, creating a clean, minimalist composition that highlights the porcelain subjects.
Grouping Concept: The two vessels and two sculptures are printed in pairs, creating a visual contrast between the two categories and providing a clear structural division.
Color Treatment: Colors are kept subdued, relying on light and shadow to express the three-dimensionality of the porcelain, consistent with the simple and pure artistic character of Dehua white porcelain.

This stamp set is a key issue in China Post's ceramic-themed series and the first independent special stamp issue for Dehua, Quanzhou. All selected artifacts are first-class cultural relics from the Palace Museum collection, covering themes of ancient ceramics, sculpture, the maritime Silk Road, and Fujian regional culture. Among them, the He Chaozong Bodhidharma sculpture holds special historical significance and cultural renown, making this set suitable for thematic collections on ceramic kilns, ancient sculpture, and export porcelain, with outstanding historical documentation and artistic appreciation value.